Superb model railway layout: St Ives in OO gauge 

What an beautiful model railway of my favourite era of British Railways. I am 69 now, I wish I had worked on our railways in the 1950s, I started work on British Rail in 1970 age 15, I can just remember watching a tank locomotive dragging a rake of van wagons across a road crossing as I held my dad's hand and watched in amazement as the locomotive came slowly across, one of the loco crew took his cap off and waved at me.! I have never never forgotten that. It's funny what we remember, ask me to tell you what i had for lunch last week and I probably cannot remember.! Sorry I am digressing, I tend to do a lot of that, Lol. Anyway, well done sir, you have a truly amazing model railway. Best wishes to you and keep safe. 👍🚂. And best wishes from the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The sedum trick for trees was quite a revelation. What a gorgeous layout,

Absolutely brilliant model railway! Great narration and explanation of your modeling techniques. I was just touring the St. Ives branch via Google Earth and was day dreaming about what things must have looked like back in the 1950's. Thank you for filling in the blanks!

I am in St Ives at the moment, We got the train from St Ives to Carbis bay, as I walked through the car park I commented about the original station to my wife. Great layout.

One of the most realistic model railways I've seen.

The integration of the backscene is seamless.

Your enthusiasm and effort is to be admired. Congratulations on a wonderful layout!

I could not take mu eyes of the buildings when I could. I have bookmarked this video, so I can come back often. Than you for the video.

I was 5 in 1954 when we travelled from Paddington to Carbis Bay on the Cornish Riviera Express and still remember it well. On Saturday mornings over the next few years the sight of the train making its way round the coastline to St. Erth and then Paddington was an awesome sight.

I spent many holidays in the fifties and sixties in the Camping Coach to the rear of the station and have lots of b&w photos of my family, most of whom are long gone. But the memories live on, especially as I have a scar to my face received by falling down the small ladder steps to the coach entrance. The coach was an amazing conversion and it was a joy in so many ways. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful times. Don

Brilliant layout and a perfect reminiscence of St Ives and that unique feel of Cornwall.

Quite incredible

I dont remember St Ives back then but the model is instantly recognised even though its now a single line platform with no buildings or loop etc as the town is served by Class 150 DMUs. The model is frankly amazing. I could be on the beach for a quick paddle and an ice cream before the next train. What a great hobby we have.

This is by far the best layout I’ve seen, the way that you’ve done the scenery really makes the layout an outstanding piece. Love it

If this line had been in the hands of the preservationists combined with the popularity of St. Ives, I would imagine long queues and an entry fee to get access!

Outstanding, what a fantastic water idea.

I wish, when I was in my 20's, (50 years ago!) that I knew about branch line modelling? I think I would have stayed with the British outline railway theme! As an Ozzie, I'm now very parochial. Your modelling efforts are inspirational. Your ocean scene is brilliant. I don't think I've seen a better rendition! I love your method of attaching windows et al to styrene. I'll give that a run for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Your layout is wonderful. The West Country has an appeal all its own with the palms and very blue sea. Nice naturally lit room as well, no cross-beams blocking views!

One of the best layouts ever.....

Simply stunning piece of modelling. Beyond brilliant.

2 years? Thats quick, what an awsome job, even for a layout of this size . Looks great, you should be proud of what you have achieved 😎👍

Convincing representation of a GWR branch line terminus. Imaginative integration of the back scene with the foreground. The use of a drone to take the photographs and all the work in photoshop has paid off! You have got the perspective exactly right which is a point on which many layout builders fall down. Thanks for uploading.

An amazing layout, brought back some fond memories

Wonderful layout

It was an act of official vandalism to bulldoze these places in the 60s and replace them with a small concrete bus shelter. So much beauty needlessly lost.

Stunning and in just a couple of years, just so good!

What an excellent layout, I have had holidays to Carbis Bay in the last few years and instantly recognise the layout of St Ives.

I think Mr Freezer had an obsession with St Ives in his many track plan books.

Absolutely love this! Fantastic layout and such a great way of doing it too...

Your model takes us all back to 1950s, even those of us born later, thanks! 😃

WOW. Especially the trees and the beach waves

Absolutely brilliant layout.

aaaaaaaahhhh.......one man's dream brought to life... irresistible. Thanks for sharing it with us.👍

Standouts for we are: Your lighting, the felling of depth and elevation, adhering to photographic resources brings a realism that is hard to put your finger on but is missing when a modeller works from imagination alone. Real photographic textures bring an individuality to your buildings, often modellers are in love with their weathering technique and everything takes on a sameness of drab. Lovely work Paul.

Bloody marvellous. I love it and the narration and back story. Maybe another update when you have done more tweaks or maybe a running session! It really captures that summer feel!

Not sure why I watched this but so glad I did. Superb in every way.

Great layout! Your thorough research paid off.

Excellent video. Excellent model. Stunning scenery. Really inspiring.

II have travelled along this branch line many times. You have captured the essence and detail perfectly. Congratulations and thanks.-

Absolutely amazing: I could easily retrace our steps during our holidays there last year, from the station to the bar and beach or down the path under the bridge after turning left walking along the hotel overlooking the station...👍👍👍

So very lovely and reminiscent of the past where these lovely places actually existed ! Hmmm! Anyways thank you so much for sharing not only your lovely model, but your techniques!

You have my admiration and envy ... marvellous modelling

Well done and advising great information. A total work of art. Great layout.

Wonderful job and layout. Love the seagull. 😄

Excellent!

Quite the most engaging video of an avowedly team effort version of an enchanting model layout of Snives. Thank you for brightening up the day.

My goodness! The detail and craftsmanship makes my jaw drop!

Absolutely love this! Fantastic layout and such a great way of doing it too, basing it off memories and photographs. A most enjoyable video, very well put together... didn't want it to end!

Stunning detail, wonderful

What a fantastic layout with great commentary providing a insight into the construction process. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas.

The detail is superb.

Great layout - love the use of old and new school techniques. Kudos to the sea especially.

I have fond memories of St.Ives. but never Visited by Train. But your Layout is Magnificent..! It was almost as if I could smell the Ocean whilst tucking into a Pasty..! Thx for the Memories. I Left the Uk for Oz. And haven't returned but if I did, St. Ives would be a Must. Cheers kim in Oz. 😎

Stunning model. Somewhere I've never been, but over th years I've followed many articles, mostly by CJF, on the St Ives branch, and I think I finally understand what inspires so many. It must be a great layout to operate, satisfying to build, and generally fun.

Incredible. I envy that many of you enjoyed seeing places like this and locomotives of these sorts in your own lifetime. I can only venture to them vicariously through layouts like these.

The Sedum trick for trees is excellent. Did i see sea gulls circling that engine shed!?

A superb layout!

You must have put a lot of research into this layout build and it has not been wasted. The is so much detail to look at. I only wish is that this video could have been longer. Thanks for sharing. Martin. (Thailand)

I can taste the Ice cream!! Wonderfull Tony

All in less than 3 years! great build

Wow the trees are my favourite part!😂 It's amazing, all of it though. Great job 👍👍

The better days, perfectly captured, stunning...👍😁

I honestly thought this was real. I stayed in the hotel pictured in the layout! Phenomenal

Superb!!

I addition to your wonderful eye for scenic detail, your narrative pacing and editing of this wonderful video are top-notch. A pleasure to watch and to re-watch!! Well done!!!

Great new video .loads of detail.

What a fantastic atmospheric layout, loved it.

stunning layout

Totally amazing, so impressed thank you for sharing this.

Absolutely brilliant

Inspirational and beautiful, great narration. I can't get enough of the superb layouts from the UK. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Modelling at its best

Fantastic video - what an amazing layout, thank you for explaining your techniques as well, very inspiring. Looking forward to seeing more of St Ives in the future

That's good. I like the technique of showing the prototype and then the model. Some excellent modelling. And great explanations.

What a cracking layout

A beautiful model ! I remember getting a lift to and from work on the same type of local shown at the beginning . But it was a mat rough grey colour .

Just brilliant layout.i am planning my layout and the ideas you show there. We help me no end

Brilliant! An inspiration, so much detail, thank you for sharing.

Really loved this, well presented

Stunning!

Outstanding work!

Incredible layout. i love the st Ives branch line and many of the features were instantly recognisable. I am considering modelling Hayle harbour as it was in the 50s and 60s when the power plant was operating, and modelling a section of the mainline possibly Hayle to St Erth. I may have to model that in either T of Z gauge given the size of the area, even then i suspect compression will be required.

What a nice source of inspiration. Very beautiful and amazingly made. Thanks for sharing.

This is brilliant, thank you. So many useful tips, in the scenery and in the voice over. What a terrific model!

Inspirational - really impressive

What a beautiful layout. Wish I had your skill! A very good video too. A quick pace to ensure it's not overly long and several little scenery tips and tricks. Great stuff!

Spectacular job I love madly I wish I could have one of this keep it up 👍

Wow, fantastic layout.

Brilliant.

This brought a lot of good memories back to me thanks' for sharing it with us

Absolutely fantastic layout, really, really clever!

amazing and out standing very nice

Wow!!! Stunning and inspirational layout. Love it!

A fantastic layout and video

Absolutely wonderful....

Absolutely incredible. Love to get a rough idea of how much that has all cost. Must be 10s of thousands

That is truly a crackin layout!

wonderous layout

Super 👍

Gorgeous location!! Yes!! I’ve actually been on the DMU and parking the car just outside the town.